Dirigible-wheel mount.



' S. B. GRAY, DBGD.

B. s. GRAY, nxnou'ron. DIRIGIBLE WHEEL MOUNT. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13,1907.

Patented Mar. 15, 1910.

2 sums-sum 1.

S. B. GRAY, DEGD. B. s. GRAY, nxnomron. DIRIGIBLE WHEEL MOUNT. APPLICATION FILED rm 13,1907.

2 sums-SHEET a.

. i Z a XM M Patented Mar. 15,1910.

.To all whom it may concern:

U iris sTAa Es -in ENr trio STEPI-IEN B. GRAY, OF JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS; BARTLETT S. GRAY EXECU'IOR OF SAID-STEPHEN B. GRAY, DECEASED. I

DIRIG-IBLE-WHEEL MOUNT.

Be it known that I, STEPHEN BQGRAY, a, resident of Jacksonville, in, the county of v Morgan and'State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dirigible-Wheel Mounts, of 'whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact description.

.The invention relates to dirigiblewheelmounts such as are used in motor-vehicles.

The invention designs to provide an improved construction for a. mount which per 'mits' the wheel to be swung laterally to steer the vehicle and also an improved mount for a dirigible wheel combined with a ClIlV- lug-connection whereby the wheel 'ma 1 be constantly driven despite movement of the wheel about its swivel-connection with the frame or angular movement necessary in steering a vehicle. 1 i

The invention consists in the several novel features of construction hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

. and that in In the drawings: Figure l is a horizontal section (parts being shown in elevation) of a wheel-mount embodying the invention. Fig.2 is a vertical section. Fig. 3 is' a section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section 011 line 44 of Fig. 1, the; rim of the wheel being shown in elevation. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention.

10 denotes a wheel-supported axle or support for a vehicle whereby the body and several parts of the vehicle are primarily supported. It will be understood that any suitable connection may be provided between this axle or support and the frame practice any desired number of the wheels may be provided with the im proved mount or driving-connection. In practice, suitable springs or cushions (not shown) are usually interposed between the axle l0 and the frame or body, these being usually connected to a bracket 11, in which an enlarged squared portion 12 of the axle is secured so the latter cannot revolve. The

axle. is extended outwardly beyond the I .formed in a wheel-spindle 15. I The spindle has flat faces adapted to engage the upper Specification of Letters Patent Application filed February-1S, 1907.

7 sides Patented Mar. 15, 1910. Serial No. 357,184.

and lower corresponding faces of the enlarged terminal 13 of the axle to secure the spindle against rotation-with respect to the axle. A wheel is journaled on spindle 15 and to render the wheel dirigible, a pivotal connection is provided between the axle and the spindle which permits the spindle and wheel journaled thereon to be swung laterally with respect. to the axle or body of the vehicle and to vary or determine the direction offtravel of the vehicle. The pivotal connection is formed by a pin 16 which is secured in the axle-terminal and extends :through a hole 17 in the spindle. Recess 14 in the spindle in which the axle terminal 13 fits, is cut away as at 18 to provide clearance between theaxle and, the spindle so the latter can be swung laterally with respect to the axle. Any suitable journal may be provided between the spindle and the wheel, a roller bearing 19 being shown.

- The wheel 20 comprises a hub 21 which'is journaled on the spindle, a body havinginner and outer sides 22 and 23, rings 24, and a tire or felly 25 secured to the body by through -bolts 26. It will be understood that any desired tire may be used as the one illustrated forms no part of the invention. Sides 22 and 23 are secured by bolts to lugs 27 formed on the hub and medially disposed cross-bars or brackets 28 extend between the 22 and 23, the bracket and the sides being secured together by bolts. The spindle 16 is provided with a reduced portion 30 around which the hub of the dirigible wheel extends and has secured to its outer end an arm 31 which may be connected to the steering mechanism in any well known manner. This arm serves as means for shiftin the spindle and wheel laterally about the pivotal connection between the spindle and the axle.

One of the advantages of the invention is to provide an improved dirigible wheel and mount in which the pivotal point about which the wheelswings is within the hub of the .dirigible wheel and substantially in line with the vertical axis of the wheel. By so disposing the pivot the wheel can be easily swung since that portion of the wheel which contacts with the ground is substantially in line with the vertical axis of the wheel and thus it is very easy to trim the wheel. Furthermore, it ecomes possible with th1s constructiontojlocate the wheel pivot within the hub. 'Itwill be observed the spindle is non-revolubly held with respect to the axle bythe' construction'and arrangement of the axle-terminal and pocket in the spindle. This feature relieves the pivot-pin .16 of binding'strains and facilitates movement of v movement therein by a collar 10 secured to the axle. The driver is usually formed of sections secured together for convenience in lacing the driver in position on the axle. n the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the driver consists of a beveled gear having teeth 36 which are driven by a vehicle.

inion 37 secured on a short shaft 38 which 1s journaled in bracket 11. Pinion 37 may be driven by any suitable or the usual means such as a universal 'oint 39 and shaft 40. Projecting laterally from the driver and secured thereto are stirrups 43 which comrise studs 44 having their inner ends rigidly secured to the driver so that they will rotate therewith. In the traction-wheel a series of spokes 45 are secured at their inner ends in hub 21 and at their outer ends in brackets 28: A universal and flexible joint is provided'between the stirrups' and the spokes to maintain the traction-wheel indriving-relation with respect to the driver at all times 'while the traction-wheel is turned about its swivel connection. Each connection between the stirrups and the having lugs 49 through which the studs of the stirrups are extended to form a sliding connection between the brackets and the studs to ermit the wheel to swing and maintain its driving relation with respect to the drive-mechanisn'i on the body of the These brackets are connected by a hall 50 which is seatedin the bracket-to form a ball-and-socket joint between the spoke and bracket. The ball 50 is slidable on the spoke. These connections :maintain the driver and the wheel at all times in driving relation and permit the wheel .to be swung laterally about its pivotal connection with the spindle into angular relation with respect to .the vehicle-body as necessary in steerin the vehicle.

in dirigible traction-wheels it is desirable that the wheel be constantly driven and thatthe driving-connection shall be maintained despite variation of the angle of the traction-wheel and that this mechanism be simple. The driving-connection set forth is simple constructionand positively main-- tains the driving relation, of the wheel and the driving mechanism at all times.-

In- Fig. 5 is .showna slightly modified form of the invention inwhich the'driver consists of a sprocket-wheel which is drivenv by a chain connected to the source of power in manner wellunderstood in the art.

The invention is not to be understood as 3 restricted to the details of. construction set forth, but maybe modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s:

1. The comblnation of a :wheel comprising a hub, a fixed axle, a non-revoluble stubspindle on WlllCll the hub is ournaled, a pivotal connection between the outenend of the axle and: the spindle substantially inline with the vertical axis of the wheehwithin the hub and for permitting the spindle and wheel to be swung laterally, a driver dis-f posed inwardly ofjthe hub and mounted on the axle, and a connection between the driver and the wheel. for driving the latter comprising a pivotal and laterally sliding joint. 2. The combination ofa wheel compris- 'ing a hub, a fixed axle, a non-revoluble stub-- spindle on which the hub is journaled'," a pivotal'connection between the outer end of the axle and the spindle substantially. in line with the vertical axis of the wheel, within the hub and for permitting the. spindle and wheel to be swung laterally, means for swin ing-the spindle laterally, a driver disposed inwardly 'of the hub and mounted on the axle, and a connection between the driver and the wheel for driving the latter comprisinga pivotal and laterally and radially sliding joint. i

3. The combination of a wheel comprising a hub, a fixed axle, a non-revolu'ble stubspindle on which the hub is journaled, a

pivotal connection between the outer end of the axle and the spindle substantiallyin line with the vertical axis of the wheel, within- 'the hub andjfor permitting the spindle and wheel to'be swung la tefiilly'fan arm at the 5 outer end of the spindle for swinging the spindle laterally, a driver disposed inwardly of the hub and mounted on the axle, and a connect-ion between the driver and the wheel for driving the latter comprising a pivotal and laterally and radially sliding joint.

4. The combination of a wheel comprising a hub, an axle or support, a stub-spindle on which the wheel is journaled, a pivotal connection between the axle and the spindle.

the frame, and a flexible and sliding joint substantially in the line of the vertical axis driving-connection between the driver and the wheel.

5. The combination of a wheel comprising a hub, an axle or support, a stub-spindle on which the hub is journaled, a pivotal connection between the axle and the spindle disposed within the hub, means for swinging the wheel laterally about said pivotal connection, a driver mounted on the frame, and

a flexible and sliding joint driving-connection between the-driver and the wheel disposed outside of the hub.

6. The combination of a wheel comprising a hub, an axle, a spindle on which the hub is journaled, a pivotal connection between the spindle and the axle to permit lateral swing of the wheel and disposed in the hub, a driver j ournaled on the axle, and-a flexible and sliding driving connection between said driver and the wheel. i

7, The combination of a wheel comprising a hub, an axle, a spindle on whichthe hub is journaled, a pivotal connection between the spindle and the axle to permit lateral swing of thejvheel and-disposed in the hub, a driver journaled on the axle, and a driving comiection between said driver and'the wheel comprising laterally projecting studs on the. driver pivotally and slidably connected to the wheel.

S. The combinationof a. wheel comprising a hub, an axle, a spindle on which the hub is journaled, a pivotal connection between the spindle and the axle to permit lateral swing of the wheel and disposed in the hub, a driver journaled on the axle, and a drivingconnection between said driver and the wheel comprising laterally projecting studs and sliding and universal joints.

' a hub, a fixed axle-or' support 9. The combination of a wheelcom'prising havin an enlarged terminal with horizontal aces, a said axle, and ocket therein for said terminal, said spind e being extended into the hub, said terminal and pocket being dis posed in that portion of the spindle which is within the'hub, and an arm on the outer end of said spindle for swinging the wheel laterally. Y Y

10. The combination of a wheel comprising a hub, a fixed axle or support having an enlarged terminal with horizontal faces, a spindle verticall pivoted. to said axle, substantially in the line of the vertical axis of .the. wheel, and having a recess or pocket therein for said terminal, andan arm on the outer end of said 5 wheel laterally. A

pindle for' swinging the -11.'The combination'of a wheel comprising a hub, a fixed axle or support, a spindle -on which the wheel is journaled and'having a recess or ocket therein into wh'ichithe axle is extende a pivotal connection between the spindle and the axle disposed in the hub,

.inga hub, a-fixed axle or .ing the wheel laterally, nection for the wheel.

means for swinging the wheel about said connection, and a driving-connection for the wheel.

12. The combination'of a wheel comprissupport having an enlarged terminal with horizontal faces, a spindle vertically pivoted to said axle and having a. recess or pocket therein for said terminal, said spindle being extended. into the hub,'said terminal and pocket being disposed in that portion of the spindle which is within the hub, means for swinging the wheel laterally, and a driving-connection for the wheel. i

13. The combination of a Wheel comprising a hub, a fixed axle or support having an enlarged terminal with horizontal faces, a spindle vertically pivoted to said axle, substantially in the line of the vertical axis of the wheel, and having a recess or pocket therein for said terminal, means for swingand a driving-con- 14. The combination of a wheel comprising a hub, an axle or support, a stub-spindle on-which the hub is-journaledand ivoted to said axle, means for swinging t e wheel laterally, and a driving-connection for the wheel comprising a driver, and laterally projecting studs, and flexible and sliding connections for the studs.

15. The combination of a wheel com rising a, hub, an axle or support, a stub-s indle on which the hub is journaled and pivoted to said axle, means for swinging the wheel laterally, and a driving-connection for the wheel comprising a driver and laterally projecting studs, and slidin universal joints.

16. The combination 0 a wheel comprise ing a hub, an axle or support, a stub-spindle on whichthe hub is journaled and pivoted to said -axle,.means for'swinging the wheel laterally and a drivingrconnrction for the wheel comprising a driver and laterally projecting studs, and ball-and-soeket o nts.

17. The combination of a wheel COIHPI'ISQ ing a hub, an axle or support, a-stub-spindle on which'thehub is journaled and pivoted to said axle, means for swinging the wheel laterally, and adrivin'g-connectlon for, the wheel comprising a driver and stirrups slidably connected to the wheel. I

18. The combination of a wheel comprlsing a hub, an axleor support, a stub-spindle on which the hubis journaled and pivoted to said axle, means for swinging the wheel laterally, and a driving connection for the wheel comprising a dr1ver and stirrupsse= cured to the driver and flexible connections between the stirrups and the wheel; I

' 19. The-combination of a wheel comprising a hub, an axle or support, a stub-s indle on which the hub is journaled and pivoted to said axle, means for swinging the wheel laterally, and a driving-connection for the Wheel comprising adriver and stirrnps secured t0 the driver, and connections pivotally wheel comprising a driver and studs pro jecting laterally from the driver, and stud- 1 guides pivotally connected to the Wheel and to which vthe studs are slidabl connected.

' STEPHE B. GRAY.

Witnessesz LEONE S. RUSSELL, WILLIAM P. BOND. 

